Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Fleet | Keystone RV Models > Fifth Wheels
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-21-2012, 09:32 AM   #1
sandy43
Senior Member
 
sandy43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: South Texas
Posts: 343
Slides in, stay off them. WHY?

Read several post here about not putting weight on slides while in (closed).

I've done this for years during strong winds, heavy snow, or whatever nature has to offer. We pull them in, sit on the couch or go to bed till the weather clears and have never ever had a problem for many years.

Where did this info come from? Everyone I know or travel with does the same as I do and has for years. These slide rails are built for lots of weight. I don't think an extra 2 or 3 hundred pounds will make much difference.

I'm don't want to debate the issue, just wondering where this concept come from. Am I missing something I should know? Thanks
__________________
Sandy & Ann
2019 Alpine 3401RS
2011 Ford F350 Diesel

sandy43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2012, 09:40 AM   #2
Festus2
Site Team
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
Sandy -
Keystone actually recommends that you do not walk on the slide floor when the slide is in. When retracted, the slide floor actually rides up and does not sit flush with the main floor. You could say that it is partially suspended and does not have any support while it is in. Consequently, the only support that the slide floor has is that offered by the two sides - there is virtually no support underneath.

You might want to check to see if there is a space or gap between the main floor and the slide floor when your slide is in.

If enough weight were put on the floor while retracted, it could possibly tear the floor out of the side walls.
Many people, including myself, were not aware of this until this topic became more widely known and discussed. There are probably lots of campers who walk on the floor or sit at the table/couch without anything happening. However, there is a possibility of damage being done, hence the warning.
We now avoid walking on the floor or sitting at the table when the slide is in.

Hope this sheds some light on the topic.
__________________
2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
Festus2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2012, 10:36 AM   #3
KanTC
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 1,270
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandy43 View Post
Where did this info come from?
It's in your Owners Manual, Ch 10
http://www.keystonerv.com/media2/man...ual_2013_E.pdf

The first time I recall that we were cautioned, about the slide-outs, was in 2005 (by a Forest River dealer)...
so it's not necessarily a recent concern, nor specific to Keystone.
__________________
'06 Chevy 2500HD 6.6L Duramax/Allison 4x4 CC SB
2010 Laredo 265RL {SOLD}
Reese 15K Pro-series (manual slide)
KanTC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2012, 10:52 AM   #4
webslave
Senior Member
 
webslave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Clearville, PA
Posts: 150
Quote:
Originally Posted by Festus2 View Post
Sandy -
Keystone actually recommends that you do not walk on the slide floor when the slide is in. When retracted, the slide floor actually rides up and does not sit flush with the main floor. You could say that it is partially suspended and does not have any support while it is in. Consequently, the only support that the slide floor has is that offered by the two sides - there is virtually no support underneath.

You might want to check to see if there is a space or gap between the main floor and the slide floor when your slide is in.

If enough weight were put on the floor while retracted, it could possibly tear the floor out of the side walls.
Many people, including myself, were not aware of this until this topic became more widely known and discussed. There are probably lots of campers who walk on the floor or sit at the table/couch without anything happening. However, there is a possibility of damage being done, hence the warning.
We now avoid walking on the floor or sitting at the table when the slide is in.

Hope this sheds some light on the topic.
X2

If you don't break the floor loose at the walls, you may induce a curvature in the middle of the floor, and if you do, that curvature may drag on the carpet/vinyl flooring and cause premature wear marking or the constant flexing of the flooring (if there is a gap) can cause the plywood to eventually start to delam. Lots of reasons not to have the floor flexing. The two living room slides in our 318SAB are off the floor (unsupported) by almost an inch when fully in. The bedroom slide (bed) is not subject to that as it (the bed) is supported at the foot, by the rollers, and at the head, the attachment point is the outside wall, and should be usable open or closed; as at a rest stop. Had the "curve" wear problem happen to a friend of mine...turns out that he spends a lot his "travel" time in Walmart parking lots. He kept his slides in and used the dinette all evening and after a couple of years noticed a wear groove in the vinyl flooring when the slide was out...sure enough, the floor had sagged to the point that it dragged going in and out on the floor...
__________________
My 2 cents, your mileage may vary...

Don
Bronwyn
2 Cats; J-Lo and Ragamuffin

2011 Keystone Cougar 318SAB
2011 Ram 2500 Longhorn CTD HO
Built in brake controller and exhaust brake
Tri Glide TrailAir Pinbox / B&W Companion Hitch
webslave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2012, 11:04 AM   #5
Festus2
Site Team
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
Don -
You've raised another interesting point about the curvature or bend in the floor that might result over a period of time and the damage it may cause. Thanks for your insight.
__________________
2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
Festus2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2012, 02:19 PM   #6
jol
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Southwest Missouri
Posts: 29
Wow that is interesting almost makes you want to take sofa, table or whatever else is in the slide, gosh my kitchen is on a slide.
__________________
2004 262FWRLS
jol is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2012, 02:07 PM   #7
beer breath
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Norfolk, Virginia
Posts: 28
I am curious about slides in Class A or C motorhomes. When those slide are in, passengers sit on the dinettes and couches all the time. They must be built sturdier.
beer breath is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2012, 02:55 PM   #8
randy69
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Ontario,Califorina
Posts: 415
slide storage

I was wondering on our slideout, Kitchen table and 2 bench chairs with storage underneath. Thats were we keep the extra cases of water,soda and beer. There is also a sofa bed on that slide out too. The slideout is all electric. I wonder if I'am taking a big chance for problems? Never had any in 2.5 years.
__________________
Randy69

2010 361lev
f350 larriet 4x4
randy69 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2012, 04:28 PM   #9
KJcachers
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 255
We have the kitchen and sofa on our slide. No floor extends into the living space. Pretty sure we will be using the sofa if needed when we turtle while traveling.
__________________
2013 Keystone Bullet 246RBS
2011 Ram 1500ST Crew Cab 5.7L Hemi w/Tow pack.
KJcachers is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:50 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.